Observation on the SI Team Rankings...

#1
Snakebrown13

Snakebrown13

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
357
Likes
413
#1
In reviewing the list from Sports Illustrated ( Ranking every FBS team from 1 to 120 )

SI has the Vols ranked 38th, with only four teams we play ranked higher (Florida, Ole Miss, Bama, and Georgia). Based on that, isn't it reasonable to deduce they expect us to go 8-4?

I also find it interesting that Ohio (59th) is ranked above South Carolina (60th), Auburn (65th) and Vanderbilt (66th).

:huh:
 
#4
#4
They have us going 7-5 (3-5) and playing in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2). I think that's pretty reasonable. At least SI has Georgia Tech ahead of Georgia...from what I glanced at yesterday, I actually think they're pretty realistic.
 
#5
#5
Ole Miss going 11-1 is pretty iffy, but they should be heavily favored in most games and they have their two biggest ones (Alabama and LSU) at home. Their biggest challenges after that are Tennessee and Arkansas (at home) and then Auburn on the road. Really, if they can beat who they're supposed to beat, they could definitely go 11-1. They just never do that. See Vandy last year.
 
#6
#6
All of those SI rankings will be scrambled after the first two or three games happens every year. I do believe Ole Miss is for real, but not 11-1 they tend to find a way to blow a game they should win.
 
#7
#7
BradyvilleVol said:
All of those SI rankings will be scrambled after the first two or three games happens every year. I do believe Ole Miss is for real, but not 11-1 they tend to find a way to blow a game they should win.
Click to expand...

That's sort of my point. The SEC is so tough that it's not just a matter of being good to have a record like that -- you also have to be somewhat lucky. Even Florida will have a semi-close game or two. Ole Miss may be good, but I'd be *shocked* if they didn't blow a game or two they "should" win.
 
#9
#9
Snakebrown13 said:
In reviewing the list from Sports Illustrated ( Ranking every FBS team from 1 to 120 )

SI has the Vols ranked 38th, with only four teams we play ranked higher (Florida, Ole Miss, Bama, and Georgia). Based on that, isn't it reasonable to deduce they expect us to go 8-4?

I also find it interesting that Ohio (59th) is ranked above South Carolina (60th), Auburn (65th) and Vanderbilt (66th).

:huh:
Click to expand...

VKAman said:
They have us going 7-5 (3-5) and playing in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2). I think that's pretty reasonable. At least SI has Georgia Tech ahead of Georgia...from what I glanced at yesterday, I actually think they're pretty realistic.
Click to expand...

Something doesn't add up. How do we lose 5 SEC games if ranked 38th? Because I'm assuming they predict us to beat the teams below us: Auburn, USCe, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt?

So we lose to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss...

I don't see the 3-5 in conference. Shoot, our worst team ever (last year) managed to win 3 games. And I am very confident that we will be better this year.
 
#10
#10
Cartervol said:
Ole miss going 11-1, nah.
Click to expand...

It's not impossible. Look at their schedule. Their road games are Memphis, USCjr, Vandy, Auburn, and MSU. They get Bama, LSU, UT, and Arkansas all at home, and they don't have to play UF or UGA in the regular season.
 
#11
#11
VKAman said:
They have us going 7-5 (3-5) and playing in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2). I think that's pretty reasonable. At least SI has Georgia Tech ahead of Georgia...from what I glanced at yesterday, I actually think they're pretty realistic.
Click to expand...

I do not see us losing 5 conference games, but if we do, there is no way in heck (after looking at film) we will be playing in the Chik-fil-a bowl with a 3-5 conference record. They get dibs just after the cotton bowl and with a decent West, and even 2 teams going to BCS games there will be a better option than a 3-5 UT team.
 
#12
#12
if there are 64 teams better than Auburn at season end. All said and done, they're still Auburn. But if I had to pick a surprise team this season, it would be us. There's a lot of uncertainty about us due to all of the offensive production that we lost. But we kind of remind me of the UT '98 team in that we lost the superstar QB (if you want to call Stafford that) but have a dependable guy who's been in the program. We have a stable of RB's and solid lines on both sides of the ball. I think you'll see a hungry and relaxed bunch of Dawgs who will be fun to watch. I hope so anyway.

Best of luck to you guys this year. I know that you have to be very excited about the new, post-Fulmer, era.
 
#13
#13
I think 8-4 (4-4) is a reasonable thought. What kills me on the preseason rankings is....Southern Cal, Georgia and Bama all lost their QB as well as plenty of other people and they all have high rankings. I really think Bama and UGA are not going to be as good as advertised. I also think SC loses 3 games this year. Ohio St, Oregon and Cal
 
#14
#14
General Jack said:
Something doesn't add up. How do we lose 5 SEC games if ranked 38th? Because I'm assuming they predict us to beat the teams below us: Auburn, USCe, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt?

So we lose to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss...

I don't see the 3-5 in conference. Shoot, our worst team ever (last year) managed to win 3 games. And I am very confident that we will be better this year.
Click to expand...

That's what confused me also. Seems like they are covering their bases either way.

And back to their rankings, does anyone really believe Ohio is better than South Carolina? If they played a 3 game series, could Ohio actually win at least twice??
I know that I have more concern for losing to the 'Cocks than the mighty Bobcats (but I will concede that after Wyoming, while unlikely, anything is at least possible).
 
#15
#15
Bobbaloo said:
I think 8-4 (4-4) is a reasonable thought. What kills me on the preseason rankings is....Southern Cal, Georgia and Bama all lost their QB as well as plenty of other people and they all have high rankings. I really think Bama and UGA are not going to be as good as advertised. I also think SC loses 3 games this year. Ohio St, Oregon and Cal
Click to expand...

but as for UGA, Joe Cox is a 5th year Sr, former Parade All-American, with lots of game experience. Many thought he should have started over Stafford. King and Samuel should be able to have similar stats as Moreno. Massaquoi was a great compliment for AJ Green, but I think Israel Troupe will be a force to replace him. With Sturdivant and Atkins back (our o-line and d-line anchors both lost early last season), we should be improved in those areas. Overall I think we're a better "team" than last year. I like it when you're not ranked that high and your players have lots to prove. Much more than an undeserved #1 ranking like last season. Just MHO
 
#16
#16
Cartervol said:
Ole miss going 11-1, nah.
Click to expand...

Nutt is still the same guy who coached at Arkansas. I think last season was "beginners luck". Now that Ole Miss is not a surprise to anyone, they'll get some given back to them. They'll lose at least 2, probably more like 4.
 
#17
#17
UGADawg4Life said:
but as for UGA, Joe Cox is a 5th year Sr, former Parade All-American, with lots of game experience. Many thought he should have started over Stafford. King and Samuel should be able to have similar stats as Moreno. Massaquoi was a great compliment for AJ Green, but I think Israel Troupe will be a force to replace him. With Sturdivant and Atkins back (our o-line and d-line anchors both lost early last season), we should be improved in those areas. Overall I think we're a better "team" than last year. I like it when you're not ranked that high and your players have lots to prove. Much more than an undeserved #1 ranking like last season. Just MHO
Click to expand...

You'll have to forgive us on that one, but Crompton was Parade All-American, 5* QB (Scout) that many preferred to Ainge and you know where that got us. Gerald Riggs was a 5* RB out of HS, but turned out to be average at best. So the whole, this guy is going to be better than the guy he replaces, even though he doesn't really have any experience... rah rah rah... is probably going to be lost here. We're jaded recently.

Lesson is: don't count on anything until it happens, especially with 18-22 year old kids. Replacing first round draft picks isn't easy.

As for being a better team this year? Yes, you could be better. The pre-season hype is usually very difficult to deal with and almost impossible to live up to. Flying under the radar isn't such a bad thing.
 
#18
#18
General Jack said:
Something doesn't add up. How do we lose 5 SEC games if ranked 38th? Because I'm assuming they predict us to beat the teams below us: Auburn, USCe, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt?

So we lose to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss...

I don't see the 3-5 in conference. Shoot, our worst team ever (last year) managed to win 3 games. And I am very confident that we will be better this year.
Click to expand...
Is it not possible to lose to a team that ends the season ranked lower?

Let's suppose Vandy wins (won't happen but for the sake of the hypothetical) but it's their only SEC win, then UT finishes the season ranked higher than them.
 
#19
#19
UGADawg4Life said:
Nutt is still the same guy who coached at Arkansas. I think last season was "beginners luck". Now that Ole Miss is not a surprise to anyone, they'll get some given back to them. They'll lose at least 2, probably more like 4.
Click to expand...

It takes more than "beginner's luck" to beat the Gators in the Swamp in a year that they win the NC. Coach O left Nutt a ton of underrated talent to work with, and they have a very easy schedule this year by SEC standards. But they will fall off the map when all of Coach O's recruits are gone.
 
#20
#20
General Jack said:
You'll have to forgive us on that one, but Crompton was Parade All-American, 5* QB (Scout) that many preferred to Ainge and you know where that got us. Gerald Riggs was a 5* RB out of HS, but turned out to be average at best. So the whole, this guy is going to be better than the guy he replaces, even though he doesn't really have any experience... rah rah rah... is probably going to be lost here. We're jaded recently.

Lesson is: don't count on anything until it happens, especially with 18-22 year old kids. Replacing first round draft picks isn't easy.

As for being a better team this year? Yes, you could be better. The pre-season hype is usually very difficult to deal with and almost impossible to live up to. Flying under the radar isn't such a bad thing.
Click to expand...

Call it "gut feelings". But I also had "gut feelings" that Bama would beat Utah like a rented mule in the Sugar Bowl last season. My gut sometimes fails me!
 
#21
#21
SGMVols said:
It takes more than "beginner's luck" to beat the Gators in the Swamp in a year that they win the NC. Coach O left Nutt a ton of underrated talent to work with, and they have a very easy schedule this year by SEC standards. But they will fall off the map when all of Coach O's recruits are gone.
Click to expand...

They beat Florida and lost to Vandy. Go figure.
 
#22
#22
General Jack said:
You'll have to forgive us on that one, but Crompton was Parade All-American, 5* QB (Scout) that many preferred to Ainge and you know where that got us. Gerald Riggs was a 5* RB out of HS, but turned out to be average at best. So the whole, this guy is going to be better than the guy he replaces, even though he doesn't really have any experience... rah rah rah... is probably going to be lost here. We're jaded recently.

Lesson is: don't count on anything until it happens, especially with 18-22 year old kids. Replacing first round draft picks isn't easy.

As for being a better team this year? Yes, you could be better. The pre-season hype is usually very difficult to deal with and almost impossible to live up to. Flying under the radar isn't such a bad thing.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack the thread, but speaking of Gerald Riggs Jr he is one of the new analyst for WRCB channel 3 in Chattanooga for Friday Night Football. What happen to Randy Smith?
 
#24
#24
UGADawg4Life said:
but as for UGA, Joe Cox is a 5th year Sr, former Parade All-American, with lots of game experience. Many thought he should have started over Stafford. King and Samuel should be able to have similar stats as Moreno. Massaquoi was a great compliment for AJ Green, but I think Israel Troupe will be a force to replace him. With Sturdivant and Atkins back (our o-line and d-line anchors both lost early last season), we should be improved in those areas. Overall I think we're a better "team" than last year. I like it when you're not ranked that high and your players have lots to prove. Much more than an undeserved #1 ranking like last season. Just MHO
Click to expand...

I see UGA going 8-4 with losses to OKie St., LSU, Florida and either Arky or Georgia Tech.
 
#25
#25
Gerald Riggs is a perfect comparison to Caleb King. The 680 guys down here just rip on king every chance they get. Samuel will put up good numbers thanks to a very strong line. The place where Georgia's going to lose games is their front 7. I wouldn't be surprised to see their D avg 20 points against per game. Even with cox, they'll still be putting 28 per game though. 9-3 is a reasonable outlook and their fans should be thrilled with it.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top